Mo. House OKs Quicker Intervention in Districts

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri House members have approved legislation that could speed state intervention in failing school districts.

Missouri districts that lose state accreditation now have two years before state officials can step in. The bill approved Tuesday by the House would remove the waiting period.

The measure also allows the state Board of Education to prescribe conditions under which a local board could continue overseeing a failing district. The state board could also set up an alternative governing structure, such as a special administrative board or merging the district with neighboring ones.

The 107-49 House vote sent the bill back to the Senate. Lawmakers have until 6 p.m. on Friday to approve legislation before adjourning the 2013 session.